One of the longest-running coin designs in American history is the one-cent coin. President Abraham Lincoln’s bust appears on the obverse side of all circulation pennies and has since 1909. However, the reverse design of the coins has changed several times in US history, with the so-called Wheat Pennies representing the original Lincoln cent coins. Right now, Wheat Pennies in bags of 5,000 coins are available to purchase online from JM Bullion.
Coin Highlights:
- Arrives inside of a plain canvas bag!
- Bag includes 5,000 coins in total with common dates featured!
- Wheat Pennies issued from 1909 to 1958!
- Common dates include 1940’s and 1950’s releases.
- Lincoln’s right-profile bust on the obverse.
- Wheat design on the reverse.
Each of these Wheat Penny bags contains a total of 5,000 coins for a combined face value of $50 (USD). The bag contains Wheat Pennies from common dates of issue, with coins struck in the 1940s and 1950s among the most common remaining today. Wheat Pennies were introduced by the United States Mint in 1909 and discontinued in 1958 as the mint shifted to a new reverse design element.
The obverse design of President Abraham Lincoln in left-profile relief is still featured to this day on the circulation penny, but the Wheat Pennies combined his bust with a different reverse image than is currently used on American pennies. The bust of President Lincoln was created by Victor David Brenner whose initials appeared on the original reverse fields in a prominent striking that actually angered many Americans.
On the obverse of Wheat Pennies, you’ll find Brenner’s design of President Lincoln. This bust of Lincoln was the first image of a US President to appear on a widely circulated coin in the nation. Lincoln’s figure is depicted with engravings of “Liberty,” “In God We Trust,” and the date mark. Some of the coins also feature a mint mark on this side.
For the reverse of Wheat Pennies is a design that resulted in the common terminology identifying these coins as Wheat Pennies. Widely known as the Lincoln Cent, pennies were identified as Wheat Pennies by the reverse use of wheat stalks to frame the engravings of “One Cent” and “United States of America.”
JM Bullion now carries Wheat Pennies as an excellent option for those looking to invest in copper coins. The coins in this bag contain 95% copper, but there is an exception most commonly found in 1943 pennies. Wheat Pennies struck during World War II often featured a higher zinc content as copper stores were redirected to the war effort.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. You can call JM Bullion customer service at 800-276-6508, chat with us live online, or email us directly.